are you afraid of the dark?

13. halloween

I had a completely brilliant idea this morning when I woke up.

Steve came over upon nightfall and I told him everything I woke up thinking about.

"So, dad and Rebecca are gonna leave soon for trick-or-treating, but they know that we usually leave first," I explained. "So, we're gonna dress up in bedsheets or whatever and go- but, after they leave, we're gonna come back in and have some of that fun you were talking about last night."

He blushed and looked down with a smirk. "Sounds like a plan."

It feels like we're finally both on the same page with all this- or, you know, maybe we're both just horny as hell.

We put on our makeshift costumes, both of which consisted of a bedsheet with eye-holes, and headed for the door.

"Hey, dad," I called into the living room to get his attention. "We're gonna head out, okay?"

"Sure thing, James," he replied. "Rebecca and I are leaving in five."

"Okay," I opened the door.

"See you later, Mr. Barnes," Steve waved.

My dad waved and we were off.

Down the stairwell, across the street and straight into the alleyway just a bit down the street. There was a perfect view of the apartments so we could see when dad and Rebecca leave, which was great, and it was dark enough so that they wouldn't see us as they left.

I pulled Steve with me into the alley and against the brick wall. "Shouldn't be longer than ten," I assured him.

He nodded.

I kept lookout on the door for a good few minutes while he did the same, though, I felt him start to tug at my costume.

"What're you doing?" I asked.

"There room in there for one more?" he returned.

I smirked under my sheet and pulled it over both of our heads.

"Always," I met his gaze, somehow in the dark, as he stood closer than before. "Though, this isn't a very good way of keeping an eye on the door."

"But it's warmer," he came back, grabbing at my shirt. "And darker."

"Speaking of darker," I started, grabbing his wrists. "When we get inside, we can't turn any of the lights on, the neighbors - especially your mom - will get suspicious."

"Then we'll keep the lights off," he assured me. "No biggie."

"Well-"

"What?" he interrupted.

I waited, "are you afraid of the dark?"

"Not anymore," he grabbed me tight and I grabbed back tighter. "Not when I'm with you."

I smiled to myself and brought his face close to mine. Our lips met briefly. "Good; you know I'll always protect you as long as I can."

"I know," he answered.

We remained quiet for a second longer, that is, until I heard that distinctive crackle of my front door swinging open.

I pulled the sheets apart so that I might look through my eye holes and watched as dad and Rebecca made their way out the door and down the stairs... then, all the way down the street.

"Ready?" I confirmed, holding the house key in hand.

"Mhmm," he hummed, following me across the street and back to the apartment.